One of the main storylines from Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks was the lack of plays for running back Miles Sanders. After having a fantastic first half against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, Sanders only got two carries in the second half and just six total on Monday night. Doug Pederson continues to make no sense in his play-calling and decision making across the board.

Statistically, Sanders is one of the league’s best backs so far. Through 8 games, Sanders is second among running backs in yards per carry with 5.6 currently. He is also fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, with 80.9. The stats show that when the ball is in his hands Miles Sanders is incredibly effective.

Doug Pederson is continuing to be headstrong in not giving Miles any carries. Sanders finished Monday with 6 carries for 15 yards. On the Eagles first drive starting with 1st and 5, he never got a single run. There is no defending his lack of carries. Right now Sanders is averaging 13.5 carries per game. Compared to some of the other top backs in the league this is not enough. Nick Chubb averages 16.4, Dalvin Cook 22, Josh Jacobs 18.7, and Derrick Henry 23.2.

Now while he isn’t on the level of Henry or Cook yet, his career is projecting that way. Carson Wentz looks abysmal throwing the football, and with the efficiency Miles is having there is no need to turn away. If anything, his role needs to increase drastically to get him acclimated and take pressure off of Carson.

In his entire career, Miles has never had more than 20 carries a game. He has had 20 carries in a game twice, once in 2019 during week 16 against Dallas and week 2 against the Rams this season. If there was competition in the backfield and it was run by committee that is one thing, but there is no fight. Boston Scott is only averaging 5 carries a game.

I don’t know what is going on in Philadelphia. But if they want to perform better now and prepare their future, the ball needs to be in Miles Sanders hands more often.

Mandatory Credit: Don Wright AP Photo